Property prices aren’t rising as quickly as they had in 2021 or 2022, but they’re not dropping any time soon either. Because of this, many buyers are working with far less space than they know what to do with. Don’t let this dissuade you from making your backyard into an oasis! From shade to plant life to entertaining, you can make any yard into the star of your home. These are some of the most popular design for small spaces ideas to keep in mind.
9 Landscape Design for Small Spaces Tips
1. Understand the Importance of Plantlife
Plant life is good for our mental health, is attractive to buyers, and can make any space feel more luxurious and spacious. When looking at plants to add to your area, consider how much maintenance they need, and remember to get a variety of sizes and shapes so they flow more naturally.
2. Keep Maintenance Time Down
If you want to cut down on maintenance time but still have a beautiful lawn, now’s the time to consider artificial turf. This material never needs water, is always green and vibrant, and requires little maintenance throughout the 20 years it’ll last on your lawn. This is a cost-effective choice that will keep you from trying to pull a mower around a tiny area.
3. Remember Entertainment Space
Entertainment is one of the best reasons to update your lawn! It’s so much fun to invite friends and loved ones over so you can have a cookout, but it’s important that there’s enough seating and standing space. Add comfortable seating, and remember to account for size and numbers when you’re inviting groups over.
4. Consider Shade Vs Sunlight
There’s some contention when it comes to whether sunlight or shade is king. Sunlight helps plants bloom and can boost mood by helping our bodies produce vitamin D. On the other hand, too much sunlight is bad for our skin and can leave lawns dead and dried up.
For many small spaces, some look to retractable awnings or structures like pagodas. Neither of these has permanent light or shade, and both are affordable to install.
5. Safety is a Key Component
Don’t risk anyone’s safety. From slipping off of a deck to getting burned by a fire pit, it’s vital that you stop and consider how safe every component is. For instance, you can add hog wire deck railing to help keep people from slipping and falling and create a more spacious fire pit so nobody gets harmed.
The safer your yard is, the more welcoming it will seem.
6. Investing in Quality
Since you have a smaller space to work with, you have the chance to spend a little more on supplies and still end up spending less than the average lawn remodel. Go for high-quality and attractive results.
Asking questions like whether cedar vs. composite siding is the best choice for you is a great place to start. These little splurges will help make the space even more exciting to spend time in!
7. Keep Excess Moisture Out
Nobody wants a flooded lawn, especially after putting in so much money to update their home. To stop water in its tracks, it’s a good idea to put in a couple of safety features. This could mean in-ground drainage to pull water down and away, or it could be a rain garden.
Rain gardens have boomed in popularity since 2020, giving homeowners an attractive way to use native plants to pull water deep down into the soil. Combining these ideas will set you a step ahead of everyone else!
8. Remembering the Flow of Traffic
The main goal should be that you enjoy the look and utility of your yard when you’re done, but it’s easy to get carried away by adding as many things and spaces as you can conceive of.
When planning your lawn, make sure to go out and map the areas you’re thinking about. This could mean using a tarp that’s folded to size in place of thermally modified wood decking or using painter’s tape to mark off different sections.
You’ll quickly have a better idea of whether this space will be cramped or not before you start working.
9. Mistakes to Avoid
It’s easy to get ahead of yourself and end up doing too much or spending a lot, so it’s vital that you stop and plan first. One of the biggest mistakes people make is jumping into lawn redesign without planning. Set a goal, a budget, and a timeline, and then work out from there.
Remember to avoid spending more than 10% of your home’s value on any one area of it, including the yard! Although higher curb appeal will let you sell faster and for more, you might not gain it all back if you spend too much.
Property Size Can’t Hold You Back
Whether you’re updating your property to sell or you just want to make your yard more welcoming, small spaces shouldn’t hold you back. Consider working with Design Scapes Inc. to create a lawn that’s welcoming and spacious regardless of square footage.
